Liverpool have a new sporting director! Richard Hughes takes up key Anfield role as part of Michael Edwards shake up

The Reds officially announced Hughes as the club's new sporting director on Wednesday. This move comes as part of a comprehensive shake-up orchestrated by Michael Edwards, the former sporting director who is set to return to the club as CEO.

Hughes, a former Scotland international, will depart from his current role as Bournemouth's sporting director to join Liverpool at the conclusion of the season. His journey in football administration began after retiring from the game, initially joining Bournemouth's recruitment team under the tutelage of Eddie Howe. Hughes's astute contributions led to his promotion to technical director during the club's tenure in the Premier League.

Liverpool have been without a permanent sporting director since the departure of Julian Ward last summer. In the interim, the club enlisted the support of German football executive Jordi Schmadtke to assist Klopp during the summer transfer window, which saw notable signings including Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch.

Meanwhile, Hughes's illustrious career in football spans both playing and administrative roles. He commenced his professional journey at Arsenal, although he never made a senior appearance for the club. Hughes later joined Bournemouth in 1998, where he spent four years before making a move to Portsmouth on the south coast.

During his tenure at Fratton Park, Hughes earned five caps for the Scotland national team and made a notable 114 appearances in the Premier League over nine years. He eventually returned to Bournemouth in 2012 before retiring from professional football two years later, marking the conclusion of a distinguished career.

He told the club's official website: “I am incredibly proud to be offered this opportunity. Liverpool FC is a unique club and I’m grateful to be given a chance to serve it in this capacity.

“People rightly talk about the rich history this organisation can boast, but it is the present and future which really excites me. Jürgen Klopp is leading an outstanding team and squad and alongside that the commitment to young players and their pathway to the first team is also outstanding.

“I am fully aware of the expectations and responsibilities that come with taking this position. It will be my job, working with Michael [Edwards] and leading the football operations team already in place, plus the wider staff at the AXA Training Centre, to make good decisions.

“That’s really what the job entails: you have to make the kind of good decisions which enhance the prospects of having a team that wins and excites the supporters. It is what Liverpool have done well for a very long time and the benefits are there for everyone to see.”

Edwards added: “I’m delighted Richard has agreed to join us in this vitally important position.

“I’ve known him for half of my life in a professional and personal capacity and he is absolutely someone who embodies the best values of Liverpool FC. I trust him completely.

“He has outstanding judgement and a track record of making smart decisions which benefit the organisations he represents.

“Both Richard and I are aware of the weight of responsibility that comes with working in this capacity for a club such as this. The fact he is excited and energised by the challenge ahead is important.

“It is clear to everyone that Jürgen will leave a legacy to build upon and in Richard we have the right person to make the key decisions and offer the leadership to take us forward into a bright future.

“As one very successful chapter will come to a close for Liverpool in the summer, the objective of everyone here is for another one to begin – and with Richard I am confident we have the right person in position for us to achieve this aim.”

In his new role, Hughes will play a pivotal part in shaping the future of Liverpool's squad, particularly as the club navigates the transition following the departure of legendary manager Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season. He will work closely with Edwards, who returns to Liverpool as the CEO of football operations at Anfield. As Liverpool prepare for a new era under the leadership of Hughes and Edwards, fans eagerly anticipate the impact of these strategic appointments in shaping the club's future trajectory on and off the field.